“By Jones,” Kendrick hissed.
“Likely.” I headed toward the bank of computers where Chase was standing. He’d pulled up the crime scene of the juror who’d been murdered. It was an absolute blood bath. “The threats were subtle and with no way to connect him as the person responsible.”
“This mole could be working for Worthington,” Chase offered.
I half laughed. “Likely.”
“Let me guess. You played a hero, offering to protect this damsel in distress.” Kendrick’s smile slowly subsided after studying my face. “Wow, I’m right. Now, why do I have the feeling she means more to you than just a witness on a case?”
I swirled my drink. The question had been swimming around in my mind for two hours since I’d known the others would pepper me with questions. “She’s a woman who doesn’t deserve to live her life in complete fear of a monster. She’s a single mother with an addict as the child’s father. Jones sent four of his goons to one of two places she works. I was there to keep her safe in case they chose to go through with their plans of kidnapping and killing her.”
“This shit just gets better and better,” Kendrick said, exhaling.
Gabriel half laughed. “What in God’s name did you do to these goons?”
“Maverick and I simply provided the four of them with a lesson in how to handle a woman.” I laughed seeing their faces. Another moment of being underestimated. They should know me better than anyone.
“Don’t look so shocked,” Chase suggested. “He did what he needed to do. If it had been me, I might have made an entirely different decision. One more permanent. Then we’d have Delgado on our doorsteps.”
“You left them alive,” Kendrick piped in.
“Trust me,” Maverick answered for us both. “They won’t be on the street anytime with the number of broken bones they received.”
“Amazing,” Gabriel muttered. “Did they know the illustrious identities of their assailants?”
I slowly shook my head as I tipped my head toward Maverick. I could tell by his expression he wasn’t concerned in the least about our task the night before.
“Evidently they suspected and by Jones’ visit today he knows,” Kendrick suggested. “Keep in mind he might also suspect that you’re protecting the witness.”
“Not necessarily,” Chase mentioned, pointing toward the photograph of the murder scene. “In talking with the detective in charge of the case involving the juror’s murder, the police had been contacted regarding threats. They are almost identical to the ones Ms. Sciascia received. Jones could be going down alist one by one, deciding to do nothing more than to remind the good judge he was a man of the law.”
“Were the other jurors, attorneys, and assistants threatened?” Maverick asked.
“None up to this point.” Chase locked eyes with mine.
“Maybe they issue a warning just before a kill,” I suggested.
“The killing of the juror was likely based on retaliation and a warning. Now, the others should have adequate understanding their lives could be in jeopardy.” Kendrick had a point. “A single kill goes a long way. You know that.”
True enough.
“Or it’s possible Jacob and his goons have yet to deliver the various warnings.” Gabriel walked closer, staring at the series of photographs. “Jesus Christ. And at this point with no evidence Jones and his crew are involved, he certainly can’t be implicated.”
“No,” I corroborated. “That’s what they are counting on. Plus, with James Worthington on the take, he would ensure an arrest warrant isn’t issued. The single person who could still put Jones behind bars is Valentina Sciascia. The problem is that I’ve yet to be provided with paperwork on the supposed issue with the case itself.”
“What if there is none?” Gabriel asked.
“My guess is you’re right.”
“Then you need to keep her alive until the DA gets a goddamn backbone,” Maverick snapped.
I shook my head. “He won’t. He also warned me not to try anything.”
“Which is the reason we’re all here, gentlemen,” Chase reminded us. “All of you know Delgado and his reputation. He doesn’t care who his enemies are. Assuming he’s as pissed off as Jacob Jones, there will be more dead bodies washing up on the shore or people simply disappearing.”
“But,” I said thoughtfully, “if what Chase mentioned about the shipment coming into port in the near future is true, he’ll need to be careful not to draw unnecessary attention.”
“Agreed,” Kendrick said, nodding.
